What is the rated capacity for type 1, 1/4 in cotton webbing?

• A. 60 lbs
• B. 100 lbs
• C. 40 lbs
• D. 80 lbs

Answer: (D)

Understanding rated capacity means knowing the safe working load for a specific material and size under normal use. For Type 1 cotton webbing, 1/4 inch wide, the rated capacity is 80 pounds. This reflects the lower strength of cotton fabric and the small width, giving a modest safe load even before considering knots, sharp edges, or any dynamic (shock) loading. In practice, cotton webbing is treated as a light-duty option, so the 1/4 inch width tops out around 80 pounds rather than higher figures you’d see with wider or synthetic straps. The other numbers don’t fit this exact combination of material and size, since they would correspond to different widths or different materials. Also, remember that the rated capacity is the safe load, not the breaking strength, and it can be further reduced by knots, wear, or shock loads.